A key takeaway is to embrace programmatic change within your school or district and proactively address it to strengthen your arts discipline.
Exploring the Value of IB for Music Education and Holistic Growth
Around the year 2000, the staff at HEB ISD gathered at L.D. Bell High School’s auditorium, where we were introduced to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program. This became a key element in shaping the district’s educational identity.
Why IB: A Holistic and Meaningful Approach
IB is more than just an academic program. It’s about developing confident, caring individuals prepared to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Its methodology fosters inquiry and ownership beyond the rigidity often associated with the AP system.
IB in HEB ISD: A Unique Opportunity
As families moved west to new housing growth north of Ft. Worth, the district needed a way to stand out. The International Baccalaureate Program, not just an academic initiative but a transformative tool for students and educators alike, came into play. IB, Suzuki Strings, Core Knowledge (which ultimately didn’t last), and the support of student-engaging activities in Fine Arts and Athletics provided HEB ISD with a strong platform to retain and attract families to the district.
IB Means In Band
In our band program, we adopted the phrase ‘IB means In Band' as a recruiting tool, recognizing that music was more than just an elective—it could be core to the IB experience. We maximized every opportunity to integrate the program into our students' daily lives. The marching band became a hub for fulfilling the mandatory Community Action and Service (CAS) hours, and we used our UIL Concert & Sightreading assessments as strong evidence of student achievement.
Adapting the schedule was no small feat. We adjusted class periods to accommodate the students’ IB courses, flipping the first and second bands and moving the first band to the second period, as many IB classes were "zero hour." IB music met as a class in the first trimester and an after-school "sectional" in the second and third trimesters. This logistical shift was crucial in maintaining a high-performance level while meeting the demands of the IB program.
IB's Impact: Music as Core Curriculum
One of the most significant benefits of integrating IB in our district was elevating music to the same level as other core subjects. Music was now recognized as an essential component of a well-rounded education. This stance aligned with IB’s holistic approach and validated the importance of the arts in academic settings.
Thank You
Thank you, Chris Ferrell, for beginning IB Music in 2002 and to Brandon Holt for continuing the program and growing enrollment in 2006.
Would you like to learn more about this? Have any questions? Send an email: jeremy@schoolmusicconsulting.com
Commentaires